She said: "Speed dating and similar events not only give single people the opportunity to meet potential dates, but also the opportunity to meet like-minded people in their area who could become friends, something I have experienced."Mary said: "I'm hugely passionate about speed dating, it's so much safer – the person sitting in front of you is your potential date."She said safety online can be a huge issue because, until people meet in person, they have no idea whether the person they're talking to online is really the person displayed in their picture on their profile or even if their picture is recent.